Aspidistra elatior

Common Names

Cast Iron Plant, Bar Room Plant, Iron Plant, Aspidistra, Common Aspidistra

Summary

Cast iron plant is an evergreen perennial native to Asia (China, Japan, Taiwan) with slow-spreading clumps of long, arching lance-shaped dark green glossy leaves that emerge from a creeping rhizome, leaves reach up to 60 cm long, and the plant may bloom with small purple flowers near soil level though flowering is rare, it tolerates deep shade, thrives with neglect, and is non-toxic to humans and pets, in cultivation it prefers low to bright indirect light and well-drained soil, with watering when the topsoil dries and avoidance of overwatering, it is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, suitable for indoor use or shaded outdoor sites, hardy in USDA zones 7-11 and commonly used as shade garden ground cover, container plant, or indoor accent, variegated forms exist (e.g., Milky Way) though they may require brighter light

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-3 feet

Spread

1-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining, organically rich loamy soil, pH 6.0–7.0

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil; not waterlogged.

Soil pH

6.5-7.0, Slightly acidic to neutral, not picky, grows in most pH conditions

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Division

Attracts Wildlife

Other pollinators: fungus gnats, terrestrial amphipods, and various forest-floor insects